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Reducing the frequency and severity of auditory hallucinations: the AVATAR clinical trial

Condition category

Mental and Behavioural Disorders

Date applied

15/03/2013

Date assigned

27/03/2013

Last edited

13/12/2017

Prospective/Retrospective

Prospectively registered

Overall trial status

Completed

Recruitment status

No longer recruiting

Plain English Summary

Background and study aimsThe experience of distressing voices that persist despite medical treatment is a serious problem for many patients suffering from severe mental health problems. Avatar therapy is a new computer-assisted therapy that has shown some benefit in a small pilot study. The aim of this study is to test whether avatar therapy is more effective than supportive counselling.

Who can participate? Anyone aged over 18 who has experienced voices speaking in English that have persisted for at least 12 months despite medical treatment.

What does the study involve? After consenting to take part, participants are asked questions about the voices they hear, their mental and physical health and how the voices affect their quality of life. Participants are then randomly allocated to either avatar therapy or supportive counselling. Participants allocated to the avatar therapy are helped to use a computer program to develop an 'avatar' (image and voice) similar to the person or entity whose voice bothers them. The therapist uses this avatar in the therapy sessions to talk with them and help them to practice ways of coping with the voices. Participants allocated to supportive counselling do not create or use the avatar but talk with the therapist about the voice, their everyday life and how they are feeling more generally. Both types of treatment are given over six sessions of a half-hour each. All treatment sessions are recorded and participants are given these recordings on a small MP3 player to take away to use on their own at any time. After the six therapy sessions a researcher asks them the same questions they were asked before they started therapy. Participants are contacted again at 12 weeks and 6 months from when they joined the study to see whether any improvement has continued. Participants also provide their views about the therapy and how it may be improved in future.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? The possible benefits are reductions in the frequency, severity and distress caused by the voices. The risks are that the treatment may be distressing and may not be effective.

Where is the study run from? Clinics in the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? June 2013 to June 2016